Liz Jones, Wee College Director of Brand and Communications, and mother of two, shares the magic of face to face connections and ideas to help you unplug this Family Day.

I survived being “unplugged” with two teenage boys and I look forward to the next time!

Some of you are thinking it is not worth the hassle I will receive from my children.

Others may question why it’s really necessary.

Me too, folks.

But I am on the other side of two such opportunities and it feels great!

Getting Unplugged Was Not Planned

I did not plan it out of some need for connection nor was I subjecting my family to a social experiment.

We survived two recent occasions of being unplugged from the internet, game consoles, email, and social media,” forced” on us by circumstance.

Have you ever traveled to Newfoundland?

The beautiful landscapes, exceptional small-town hospitality, and endless hills, especially in Gros Morne National Park, will mean there are conveniences that you live without.

Image from Gros Morne National Park – stunning!

We were forewarned about the lack of internet connection but thought that it was an exaggeration.

It wasn’t. This unplugging was not a hardship, though.

We had so much to see and do while vacationing. But what was noticeable, without the connection to phones and social media, were the conversations that took place and the feeling of togetherness in the quiet evenings.

My children commented about it being one of the best times we have ever had together. 

The second circumstance took place at Christmas. We joined my siblings, their children, and my mother for a week at our rural family farm. No internet, and no cable because there wasn’t a television. My children worried and decided beforehand that they were going to be bored out of their minds.

I personally wasn’t worried but went in with a plan because I wasn’t looking at two teenagers, I was looking at four, plus three young adults and the remainder of adults all under one roof.

Opening scene…large puzzle table, board games, card games and “camping enthusiasm.”

Despite a 10-hour drive from Ottawa and arriving at 9:00 p.m., my brother’s kids gathered around the puzzle table and began constructing moments after arriving.

The puzzle table became an anchor in the home that drew people to it.  We played games that the adults have not played since childhood. We were all connected in activity, game rivalry, and face to face conversation. The significance of the connection was noticed by all.

We are approaching a long weekend with Family Day on Monday, February 18^th.

Here are some great ideas to help you get unplugged for Family Day.

The Family Day weekend brings you great local activities if your family enjoys being outdoors.

• The Musical Oval at Moncton’s Avenir Centre happens every Saturday evening from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music and skating!
• Snowmotion Sundays invites your family to Moncton’s Mapleton Park on Sunday, February 17 from 2 – 5 p.m. for an afternoon of snow-filled fun

The Get Unplugged Family Day Challenge

I encourage you to get unplugged for the day or even the entire weekend. Go all the way, turn all the devices off. You will survive, the children will survive, and perhaps you too will make a memory that will inspire you to get unplugged again.

Join the ‘Get Unplugged Challenge’ on our Facebook page!